“I’m afraid so. Lew Billings is an old-timer and strictly honest, and he wouldn’t send such messages as he has unless he was confident that something was wrong. He wanted me to hurry, and that is why I am trying to get out there as soon as possible.”
“But you’re going to stop off in Chicago!” broke in Randy.
“I’m doing that, Son, because two other men who are interested in that mine live in Chicago and I want to interview both of them, if I can get hold of them. It is just possible that they may have gone on to Maporah ahead of me.”
“Are those two men your friends or do you think they are working against you?” questioned Fred.
“I hardly know what to think, Fred. I want to have a talk with them first, then I’ll know how they stand. If they are friendly, well and good. But if they are on the other side, so to speak, then I’ll have to fight my battle alone,” answered Tom Rover.
“I certainly hope those men prove friendly to you,” said Randy. “It will make matters so much easier. It’s hard to fight a battle like that all alone, I guess.”
“Do you know anybody at the mine outside of this Lew Billings?” asked Andy.
“Not a soul, Son. They are all strangers to me. There were half a dozen men I knew well when I made my first investment. But when the change came those men either withdrew or were forced out. If they were there now I wouldn’t have much trouble. But as it is—well, I suppose I’ll have to take things as they come,” and Tom Rover heaved something of a sigh. Evidently the trouble at the Rolling Thunder mine was causing him a good deal of worry.